Japan’s Asada bows out with ‘no regrets’

TOKYO: Japan’s former world champion Mao Asada said she had nothing left physically or emotionally to give to figure skating in a tearful farewell news conference in Tokyo on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old, who announced her bombshell decision to quit the sport on her blog earlier this week, told reporters figure skating had been her life since she was a teeny tot in kindergarten.

“It has begun to sink in that my career is over,” said Asada, fighting back tears under the glare of lights from some 40 television crews and flashguns.

“There have been plenty of mountains to climb but I’ve been skating since I was five — it’s been my life,” added Asada, who won three world titles in 2008, 2010 and 2014 but failed to win an Olympic gold medal.

“My head feels very clear and I leave with no regrets.”

Asada cited a lack of motivation following an alarming slump in form for her decision to retire, having taking a one-year break after the last of her world championship victories.

After returning to the ice for the 2015-16 season, Asada’s results began to nose-dive and she finished in a humiliating 12th place at the Japan nationals last December in her final competition.

“After that I felt I really can’t do this anymore,” said Asada, dressed in a plain white suit with a simple ponytail.

Her decision also ended her dream of competing at next year’s Pyeongchang Olympics.

“I said in public that was my objective but since I came back I gave everything but it got harder and harder for me — emotionally, physically and in terms of motivation,” she explained.

“There was nothing left to give,” added Asada, who has also struggled this season with a knee problem.

“I still have photos of myself as a five-year-old skating in a crash helmet and knee-pads. It’s amazing I’ve been able to compete for such a long time.”

South Korea’s ice queen Kim Yuna — to whom Asada played second fiddle throughout her career — was barely mentioned by local journalists, though Asada did admit their rivalry had “made things exciting for figure skating”.

Asada took silver behind Kim at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics but will arguably be best remembered for her brave free skate at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.